Peel Thunder have rebounded from their loss against Subiaco last week to defeat East Perth by 77 points at David Grays Arena on Saturday.
The Thunder hit triple figures for the first time this season, keeping the Royals at bay with a 19.11 (125) to 7.6. (48) win.
It was a tight start to the first quarter with both teams tussling in the midfield, the Royals were held goalless in the opening quarter while the Thunder managed to break away to kick three goals before the first break.
Fremantle defender Jason Carter said East Perth’s consistent pressure in the first half meant the team had to fight hard to secure the lead.
“I think in the first half the pressure was good,” he said.
“The pressure [was] on us as a midfield group and us backs.”
Quick ball movement in East Perth’s forward line saw them close the gap to 14 points during the second quarter.
But Peel shut down the Royals’ forward line with the game played predominately in the Thunder’s half for the second term.
Scoring consecutive goals, Peel increased their lead to 26 points ahead of the main break.
Carter said the Thunder never stopped pushing.
“We just spoke to each other and said ‘keep your head up, next contest, next contest’, and [before] we knew it, we were on top,” he said.
East Perth opened the second half with a goal in the early minutes of the third term but Peel met the challenge with a strong response, kicking the next four goals to widen the margin heading into the final quarter.
Intense pressure from Peel’s backline ran East Perth out of the game, resulting in successive goals for the Thunder.
In his second consecutive week in the WAFL following his return from a hamstring injury, Connor Blakely played a convincing game with 31 disposals, while first-year player Brett Bewley was solid in the midfield with 22 touches.
Bailey Banfield also had a strong game finishing the match with 22 disposals and a goal.
“He’s playing some consistent footy, if he keeps it up he’ll return to the side,” Carter said.
With the state game next week Peel will have to wait a fortnight before they face the Tigers at Claremont Oval on Saturday 18 May.
